Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System

Student Assessment Update: September 10, 2013

Ordering Materials for the November Retest

High school principals should order November 2013 MCAS English Language Arts and Mathematics Retest materials by Sept. 13 by completing an order form posted at MCAS Service Center. All high school principals must complete an order form even if no students will participate in the retests. As a reminder, superintendents must ensure that private special education schools and educational collaboratives order materials for students in out-of-district placements. Please contact the MCAS Service Center at 800-737-5103 with any questions about ordering materials. For policy-related questions, please contact the Student Assessment Unit at mcas@doe.mass.edu.

Release of Spring 2013 MCAS Results and Accountability Data

The tentative release date for the spring 2013 school and district MCAS results and accountability data is either Thursday, September 19, or Monday, September 23. As a reminder, district and school leaders must keep all spring 2013 MCAS and accountability data strictly confidential until the time that the Department releases the data publicly. The Department will provide a further update on its release schedule in the September 13 Commissioner's Weekly Update, including our plans for a release of the statewide trend results.

MCAS Participation Requirements for Students with Disabilities

The 2013-14 update of the Requirements for the Participation of Students with Disabilities in MCAS is now posted. Please refer to this document for information about MCAS testing for students with disabilities, including guidelines for decision making and a list of accommodations. Also available:
  • 2013-14 Accommodation 20 Cover Sheet
  • Approval Guide for Individualized Mathematics Reference Sheets (Accommodation 20)
Coming soon:
  • Sample Science and Technology/Engineering Individualized Reference Sheets (Accommodation 20)

MCAS-Alt Training Opportunities

Educators conducting the MCAS-Alt, and administrators who supervise them, are encouraged to attend an MCAS-Alt training session during the first three weeks in October. During all three weeks, sessions for educators will provide training on the MCAS-Alt portfolio process and information on the latest ELA and mathematics resource guides. During weeks two and three only, sessions for administrators will provide an overview of the MCAS-Alt as well as information about standard MCAS tests for students with disabilities. Dates and locations for the sessions are listed below. Registration is available at MCAS Service Center, and a training flyer can be viewed at MCAS Alternate Assessment (MCAS-Alt) Resources and Training.
Week One:
Educators (8:30 a.m.-Noon)
Tuesday, October 1Taunton - Holiday Inn
Wednesday, October 2Marlborough - Best Western
Thursday, October 3Danvers - Doubletree
Friday, October 4Springfield - Marriott
Weeks Two and Three:
Educators (8:30 a.m.-Noon)
Administrators (1:30-3:00 p.m.)
Monday, October 7Peabody - Marriott
Wednesday, October 9Springfield - Marriott
Wednesday, October 16Randolph - Lombardo's
Thursday, October 17Mansfield - Holiday Inn

ACCESS for ELLS Training Sessions for School and District Test Coordinators

The Department will offer training sessions on coordinating ACCESS for ELLs testing within a school and/or district on October 10 and 11. District and/or school test coordinators, ELL program directors, and principals (or designee) are invited to register. Face-to-face sessions will be held on
  • October 10: 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m.
  • October 11: 9:00-11:00 a.m.
A live webinar will be held on
  • October 11: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Registration and additional information is available at ACCESS for ELLs Test Coordinator Training 2013 for face-to-face sessions and ACCESS for ELLs Test Coordinator Training for the webinar.

MCAS Participation Requirements for English Language Learners

The 2013-2014 Requirements for the Participation of English Language Learners in ACCESS for ELLs and MCAS is available. Please Note: The Alternate ACCESS for ELLs tests for students with significant disabilities in grades 1-12 will be implemented for the first time during the 2013-2014 school year.

Important Upcoming Dates

  • September 13: Deadline for ordering November MCAS retest materials
  • September 20: Printed Parent/Guardian Reports for students participating in the MCAS and MCAS-Alt tests will be available to superintendents

About this Update

The Student Assessment Services Update provides important information about the state's testing programs. Please email your feedback to mcas@doe.mass.edu. Principals, heads of school, MCAS test coordinators, and ELL directors received this email based on contact information that was submitted to the Department. To change your email address, please follow the instructions below:
  • Public schools: Submit updates to your District-Level Directory Administrator, who is responsible for submitting updates to the Department.
  • Non-public schools and collaboratives: Submit updates (along with your District & School Code) to the Department via email at diradmin@doe.mass.edu.




Last Updated: September 27, 2013



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